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Day +8: The Song of My People.

Day +8. Counts are still zeroed out. Getting platelets today because that count dipped too low. Got RBCs yesterday because I was super anemic. Began neupogen shots yesterday (and will continue daily) to “awaken” the “new” “immune” “system.” Don’t judge me for being snarky. My patience is running dry.

Aside from combatting the daily boredom, often by watching movies and TV, and useless internet surfing (who even says that anymore?), I’m glad that I’m feeling so much better than last week. There is a lingering nausea, however, that makes each meal a chore and taking every medication labor intensive — but I’ll survive.

I’ve reached the point where hospital food is very unappealing and I struggle to find things on the 8-page menu to stomach for each meal. Honestly, all I really want to eat right now (and until this ravenous craving is satiated) is Chinese take out. Or Korean food. Shoot, I could go for some Pho too, with some Pad Thai thrown in. I’m. craving. flavor. And by “flavor” I really mean umami, the fifth taste. Everything I eat is so bland, and simply adding salt doesn’t make it better. It just makes it salty. Different than umami. I’m asking for a friend.

But alas, I’ll have to wait until I’m no longer neutropenic before even beginning to think about outside foods entering this eager mouth. This could be a few days, a week, a few weeks before it actually happens. Until then, I’ll be cooped up in my hospital room throwing shade at clips of mukbang celebrities as my stomach growls. I digress.

Steve has been quite the nuisance lately. I think he has a chronic attention hogging disorder. He can’t go longer than 90 minutes without beeping and needing attention. The worst is at 3AM. We get it Steve. You’re special. Calm down.

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2 thoughts on “Day +8: The Song of My People.”

Pace yourself snarky, you have a long way to go. ….the medical injury and insults will spiritually, mentally and physically leave you raw. But hey! It’s temporary! These moments will blur and pass, come then go.
Steve and his extended family are relentless! I would suggest having the alarms lowered/ softened and a conversation with the immediate team to set their own alarms when meds are due to be completed at least during the times you are sleeping or napping. No rest just adds to the negative aspects of enduring BMT. As they say in OZ “how much can a koala bear???!!!
Hang in there. X

Part 2.
Another option is have a family member or friend be there while you nap and help keep interruptions to a minimum. I learned (as a caregiver) where the silence button is on the IV then would physically go get the nurse. If that’s too much then ask to lower the sound while a caregiver is present and if Steve carries on like a fancy pork chop your caregiver can get the attention of an RN or whoever to fix whatever alarm. People of the hospital come and go at all hours, maybe a BIG sign on the door when you are sleeping or napping just so that those who enter can be mindful ….. Just a suggestion 😊